Connector for fluid or electrical lines or both



June 6, 1950 w, mEAKlN 2,510,125

CONNECTOR FOR FLUID OR ELECTRICAL LINES OR BOTH Filed July 30, 1946 INVENTOR.

7 LAWRENCE W. MEAKlN.

A'ETORNEY.

Patented June 6, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONNECTOR. FOR, FLUID OR ELECTRICAL LINES OR BOTH (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) Claims.

This invention pertains to the art of connectors for fluid lines, or for electrical lines, or for both. The invention is embodied in a connector for terminal ends of conduits or tubes to connect a fluid line. The invention is also embodied in a connector for electrical terminals to close one or more electrical circuits. The shown embodiment is a multiple connector for one or more tubes and one or more wires, enabling the tubes of the several fluid lines and the wires of the several electrical lines to be rapidly, easily and securely connected and disconnected.

In the operation of aircraft, and particularly in the operation of military aircraft, wherein the members of the crew are commonly positioned at various parts of the craft, it is desirable that the operating personnel be in telephone communication with each other so as to give and receive orders, and they should also be in radio communication with other planes, ships or land stations. For high altitude flying they may also require oxygen, G suit anti blackout air pressure and electric heating of composite flight clothing. In an emergency, such as abailout, there could be dangerous delay in disconnecting the lines of these various services. A connector embodying the present invention enables the lines of all these services to be instantly and simultaneously connected or disconnected by means of a simple operation. By disengagement of a simple attachment all connections fall apart automatically, leaving the wearer free to get away.

For example, the disclosed embodiment cornprises a connector with two tubular connections for as many fluid lines, and six electrical contacts. Obviously, the number, size and arrangement of these connections can be varied Without departing from the principles of the invention. Essentially the present device consists of a pair of blocks held together by suitable spring clips and kept in alignment by suitable locating members. A terminus for each fluid or electrical line is embodied in each block, and when the blocks are attached together by means of the clips, the locating members position the termini in the several blocks to complete or close each line.

The principles and operation of the invention will be clearly understood from the accompanying drawing, to which attention is now directed. In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a perspective of one block, parts being cut away for clearness of illustration,

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the companion block, positioned adjacent the block of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is perspective of the block in Fig. 2, viewed from the other side thereof,

Fig. 4 is a perspective of typical fluid and electrical line connections that are connected with the device of the invention, and are adapted to be used therewith.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawing comprises the block I, Fig. 1, and the companion block 6, Fig. 2. The block I comprisesthe open face 35 adapted to be positioned opposite the open face 35 of block 6, and in surface to surface contacting engagement therewith.

The open face embodies a male terminus 4 of each of the fluid lines M that is connected by the device, each male fluid terminus i of block I being companion to a female fluid terminus 5 in the open face 36 of block 6. The open face 35 of block i also embodies a male terminus s of each electrical lead that is connected by the de vice, each male electrical terminus. 9 of block i being companion to a female electrical terminus 32 in the open face 36 of block 6. All the termini in block 6, either fluid or electrical, are of the female variety, and for this reason block 6 is herein characterized the female block. Each terminus, either fluid or electrical, in block is companion to a corresponding terminus in block 6, and all termini in block I are of the male variety. For this reason block I is herein characterized the male block.

To comprise a connection of any fluid line, the device of the invention comprises a conduit 8 that extends through the block 6 towards the open face 36 thereof, where it comprises the female terminus 5. A counterbore or recess i9 is sunken into the open face 3% to meet the end of each conduit 8, and the conduit 8 is securely fastened in the block 6 in any suitable manner with its end at the base of the recess IS). The gasket 5 is seated in the recess I?! to be embedded in the face 36, and to provide a terminal ring with an open face that lies beneath the open face 36 of block 6. Recess l9 constitutes a locating member for the male terminus 3 to guide it into engagement with the open face of the gasket 5, the gasket being constructed of suitable resilient material such as rubber to provide a yielding seat for fluid-tight juncture with the male terminus 4.

Each fluid line comprises a conduit 2 fastened to the block i in any suitable manner, and extending therethrough towards the open face 35 thereof. A resilient bellows 3 is attached at its one end to the conduit 2, by welding, soldering, brazing or other suitable means, to form a oontinuation of the fluid passage of the conduit 2. The male terminus 4, constituting a ferrule, is attached to the other end of the bellows 3 in a similar manner, and provides a projecting terminal rim of the fluid line terminus of block I. Bellows 3 is a Sylphon or other suitable metallic bellows with the desired degree of resiliency.

A recess or ccunterbore 23 is sunken into the open face 35 of the block I, and provides the bottom shoulder 27 against which the bellows 3 is seated, there being a recess 23 for each fluid line AI served by the device. With the bellowshoused in the recess 23, the terminus 4 projects above the surface 35 of the block I in position to be guided by the recess I9 into seating engagement with the exposed surface of the female terminus 5. The male terminus 4 projects above the surface 35 by an amount suitable for the bellows 3 to be compressed and to resiliently hold the male terminus l in firm seating engagement with the yielding material of the gasket 5.

The open surfaces 35 and 3B of the respective blocks I and 6 are flat and that enables them to be positioned in surface to surface. contacting engagement. Locating members are provided toguide the male and female fluid termini l and towards each other, and also to guide the male and female electrical termini 9 and 32 in a similar manner towards each other. The locating members comprise the dowel pins I8 projecting out of the open face 36 and the companion sockets I? in the face 55, the dowel pins It being long enough to locate the male termini l and 9 for direct line approach to the female termini 5 and 32 without becoming fowled against the surface 36.

Suitable clamps are provided to attach the blocks I and 6 together, and these, in the disclosed embodiment, comprise the spring clamps l of the block 6 that engage the companion recesses Id of the block I. Each clamp 'i is attached to the block 8 in a recess 2% thereof, to pivot on a pin 2|, and the clamp I projects out of its recess to include a terminal latch 33 at its end that fits the recess I6. A finger grip or handle 39 is provided at the end of each clamp i to enable quick and easy manual release thereof.

The invention can also be employed as a connector for electrical lines, and the disclosed embodiment is adapted to connect both types of lines, fluid and electrical. In the construction shown there are six electrical leads, and these serve three two-lead circuits Under preferred practice, and as shown, the female electrical termini 32 are embodied in the female block 6 together with the female fluid termini 5, and the respective companion male termini are accordingly embodied in the male block I.

Each female electrical terminus comprises a fixed terminal 22, Fig. 3, that projects through the block e towards the open face 36 thereof. For each terminal 32, a recess ill is counterbored in the open face 35 to provide a shoulder against which the head of the terminal 22 is seated, the latter comprising an open faced terminal contact 32 that lies embedded in the recess It and sunken below the open face 36 of the block 6. A nut I is provided for each terminal 22 to hold it firmly fixed in the block 6, the structure serving to provide a binding post for any suitable electrical lead.

Each male terminus comprises a terminal pin 9 that projects out of the open face 35 of the block I, and is located to register with its companion recess Ill in the open face 36 of block 6 that houses its companion terminal contact 32 when the blocks are attached to each other by means of the spring clamps 7. Each terminal pin 9 is positioned in a cavity 28 in the face 35 of block I.

The cavity 28 is counterbored from the opposite side of the block I to provide a shoulder against which the head 29 of the pin 9 is adapted to seat. A compression spring I2 is housed in each cavity 28 in backing relationship with the pin 9 therein. The pin 9 is thus pressed into 4 electrical contacting engagement with its companion contact terminal 32 of the block 6 by means of the spring I2 when the blocks I and I3 are attached to each other by means of the spring clamps I.

Each male terminus 9 is connected to any suitable electrical lead. In the structure shown there are three two-conductor lines 32, each adapted to be connected to the block I by means of a two-terminal plug at, Fig. 4, contact being made through the terminal contacts Id thereof. The socket structure employed for connecting the plugs I l in block I serves also to confine the springs I2 in the cavities 28.

An insert is is embedded in the block I for each terminal 9, the inserts I3 being screwthreaded into the block I. Each. insert I3 is perforated as shown to provide a sleeve for its companion terminal I l of its plug it. An abutment disc 3% is positioned in each cavity 28 to provide a spring seat in backin engagement with the spring 12. The spring I2 is thus positioned betwen the seat 3t and head 23 of terminal 9. The spring l2 thus operates to project the terminus 9 above the surface 35, and into resilient engagement with its terminal contact 32, and also to press the spring seat 30 resiliently into electrical contacting engagement with the end of its companion terminal IQ of plug 9. The spring I2 serves as an electrical conductor between the terminus 9 and the terminal 54, through the disc 3%.

The blocks I and 6 are preferably constructed of suitable dielectric material, molded plastic having been used. and found suitable for the purpose.

The device illustrated in the drawing is adapted, for example, to provide a fluid connection for a crew member of a. miltary airplane. to his G blackout suit, and another fluid connection to his oxygen mask. The device also serves for him to make connection of various electrical lines that serve his personal equipment.

Pursuant to this purpose, the preferred practice is to attach the block 6 to a bulkhead, panel or other suitable fixed portion of the airplane, the several fluid lines being connected each through a conduit 8. Electrical lines are connected by their leads being attached to the several binding posts provided by the terminals 2.2 as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Each fluid line is connected to the. block I. by a suitable hose line I, Fig. 4, that emanates from the crew members garment, the connection being made to the conduit 2 by means of the coupling It, for example. The connection of any electrical line that emanates from the crew members person is preferably made by means of a plug such as Alt, the corresponding set of inserts Is in block i constituting a jack.

In operation supply tubes 8 carrying block 6 would be mounted on a convenient wall or panel in an airplane. Block I is mated with block 6 so that ferrules d are received by recesses I9, alignment dowels I8 received by holes I7, and plug contacts 9 are received by sockets iii. Clamp 'l affects an assembled unit of blocks I and 6 when engaged with notches I 6. The final clamping effects a compression of Sylphons 25 and a resulting reacting pressure is exerted on ferrules 4 in its engagement with the gaskets in recesses I9 resulting in a tight juncture therewith and a potential disengaging force when needed. Spring loaded plug contacts 9 are likewise held in tight contacting engagement with contact terminal heads 32 by springs 12 and result in a potential disengaging force when needed. The pilot couples his G anti-blackout suit and oxygen mask to tubes 2 through means of couplings l5. His communication head pieces are connected with the plug-in terminal sockets l3 through means of plugs 49. In an emergency such as calling for a bailout, the pilot need only to jerk on his hose connections 41 thereby disengaging the latches 38 of spring clips 1 from notches I6, and blocks 1 and S are quickly disconnected and fall apart, leaving the wearer free to get away. The spring loaded contacts 9 and compressively stressed Sylphons 25 aid in forcibly ejecting block I from block 6 upon the release of the clamps 1 without further effort on the part of the pilot.

While a particular embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended that this invention be limited to such disclosure, and changes and modifications may be made and incorporated within the scope of the claims. This latitude applies particularly to the spring clamp I only one type of which is shown, whereas there is a wide variety of suitable clamps, latches and attachment clips available.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. A connector for a fluid line conduit comprising a pair of companion blocks relatively positionable with open faces opposite each other, each block comprising a terminus of the conduit, the terminus in one block comprising a terminal ring with an exposed face sunken into the open face of the block, the other block comprising a cavity disposed in its open face, a resilient bellows comprising the conduit terminus of the cavity containing block, the bellows being embedded in the cavity thereof and comprising a terminal rim companion to the ring, clamps operable to attach the blocks to each other with their open faces in opposed relationship, and locating members operating between the open faces of the blocks to position the rim in alignment with the ring when the blocks are relatively moved to approach each other.

2. A connector for a fluid line conduit comprising a pair of companion blocks relatively positionable with open faces opposite each other, each block comprising 2. terminus of the conduit,

the terminus in one block comprising a terminal ring with an exposed face sunken into the open surface of the block, the other block comprising a cavity sunken into the open face of the block, a resilient bellows comprising the conduit terminus of the cavity containing block, the bellows being embedded in the cavity and comprising a terminal rim companion to the ring projecting above the open face of the block, clamps operable to attach the blocks to each other with their open faces in surface to surface contacting engagement, and locating members operating between the open faces of the blocks to position the rim in alignment with the ring when the blocks are relatively moved to approach each other.

3. A connector for an electrical line comprising male and female companion blocks relatively positionable with open faces opposite each other, each block comprising a, terminus of the line, the terminus of the female block comprising a fixed terminal with an exposed terminal contact sunken into the open face Of the block, the male block comprising a cavity in the body of the block with an opening through the open face thereof, the terminus of the male block comprising a movable terminal positioned in the cavity and including an exposed terminal contact companion to the terminal contact of the fixed terminal, resilient means contained in the cavity and operating to urge the movable terminal to project its terminal contact out of the open face of the block, clamps operable to attach the blocks to each other with their open faces in surface to surface contacting engagement, and locating members operating between the open faces of the blocks to position the terminal contact of the movable terminal in alignment with the terminal contact of the fixed terminal when the blocks are moved relatively to approach each other.

4. A connector for electrical and fluid lines comprising male and female companion blocks relatively positionable with open faces opposite each other, each block comprising a terminus for each fluid and each electrical line, each fluid terminus of the female block comprising a terminal ring with an exposed face sunken into the open surface of the block, each electrical terminus of the female block comprising a fixed terminal with an exposed terminal contact sunken into the open face of the block, the male block comprising a cavity sunken into its open face for each electrical and fluid terminus of the block, each fluid terminus of the male block comprising a resilient bellows embedded in its cavity, and including a terminal rim companion to the terminal ring, of its companion terminus, the several rims projecting above the open face of the male block, each electrical terminus of the male block comprisin a movable terminal positioned in its cavity and including a terminal contact companion to the terminal contact of its companion fixed terminal, resilient means contained in each electrical terminus cavity of the male block and operating to urge the movable terminal to project its terminal contact out of the open face of the block, and clamps operable to attach the blocks to each other with their open faces in surface to surface contacting engagement, and with each electrical and fluid line connected.

5. In a connector as defined in claim 4, locating members operating between the open faces of the blocks to position the terminal contact of each movable terminal in alignment with the terminal contact of its companion fixed terminal and the rim of each bellows into alignment with its companion ring when the blocks are moved relatively to approach each other.

LAWRENCE W. ME'AKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,090,629 Knauff Mar. 17,1914 1,474,270 Lewis Nov. 13, 1923 1,722,816 Meunier July 30, 1929 2,008,492 Ehrlich et a1 July 16, 1935 2,389,895 Colley et al Nov. 27, 1945 2,398,359 Curtiss Apr. 16, 1946 

